FA-29745_48865_CA_RPTS_20230124

CEDAR ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL, P.C.
107 Pioneer Trail
Graham, NC 27253
[phone]

January 25, 2023

Mr. Earl & Kimberly Gates
3213 Muddy Point Lane
El Paso, TX 79938

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 909 Bashlot Place,
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 359322590

Dear Mr. Gates:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on January 23, 2023
at the above referenced location. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the UST
formerly used for storing heating oil had leaked causing significant contamination of the
underlying soils. It is our understanding the residence was built in 1975 which is most likely when
the UST was installed. An aboveground storage tank (AST) was also observed and is a
replacement tank to the UST.

An inactive UST was observed to be located as shown in the Site Sketch. Both the fill and vent
pipes of the UST were observed to be intact. The depth to the top of the UST is approximately 17
inches below land surface (bls). The UST has a length of about 62 inches with a diameter of
approximately 36 inches and a capacity of about 270 gallons. The UST was measured to contain
approximately 144 gallons of fluids. White flagging was installed to mark the ends of the UST
(see Photos 1 and 2). No other USTs on the property were discovered using a metal detector to
survey the outside perimeter of the residence where USTs are usually located.

A 270-gallon AST was also observed overlying the UST as shown in the Site Sketch. The AST
was supported off the ground with metal legs on cinderblocks and has the same dimensions as the
UST. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines extended from the top of the tank and went into the
ground. The AST was measured to contain approximately 108 gallons of fluid. The AST appeared
to be in good condition. Some sweating was observed around the drain plug but no leakage was
observed on the ground.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the northeastern
end of the UST using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The boring was advanced
to a depth of approximately 4.0 feet bls, about 0.4 feet above the bottom of the UST. A strong
petroleum odor and discoloration was observed in the soils from a depth of approximately 3.5 to
4.0 feet bls suggesting significant leakage from the UST has occurred. The soils at the base of the
boring consist of a dark grayish brown silty sand.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply. No water supply wells were
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Mr. Earl & Kimberly Gates
January 25, 2023
Page 2

observed within 150 feet of the petroleum release. For this reason, the property should be classified
as “Low Risk” by the State.

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils surrounding the
UST has been confirmed. Current law (NCGS 143-215.85 (a) and (b)) requires that any significant
release of petroleum be immediately reported to the North Carolina Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ), Division of Waste Management, Fayetteville Regional Office (910-433-3300).
According to State law, upon reporting the release, the current property owner where a release is
discovered is identified by the State as the “Responsible Party” for any State required action
relating to the UST leakage. Cedar Rock will submit a UST-61 form to satisfy the State’s
notification requirement for the release upon your request.

Currently, the property cannot be legally conveyed until a Notice of Residual Petroleum (NRP) is
filed with the Cumberland County Register of Deeds office pursuant to NCGS 143B-279.11
(d). The NRP will contain applicable land use restrictions to minimize the risk of exposure to
existing contamination. The land use restrictions prohibit any disturbance of site soils within a
specified radius of the estimated extent of soil contamination and prohibit the future operation or
installation of any water supply wells on the property. Once classified as “Low Risk” and upon
approval of the NRP, the DEQ will issue a “Conditional” Notice of No Further Action (NFA) letter
to formally close out the release incident. The “Conditional” provision in the NFA letter will be
removed upon receiving a certified copy of the filed NRP and the completion of Public
Notification requirements. Filing the NRP and performing Public Notification would not be
required if all soil contamination exceeding applicable standards has been removed.

The State currently will not require initial abatement or remedial action of the soils regarding the
release of heating oil from a UST on a “Low Risk” property, however, they will require removal
of the tank contents and properly cleaning the tank interior to abate the petroleum release pursuant
to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(b). Once the presence of the UST and confirmed contaminated soil is
disclosed to other interested parties as required by State law, future buyers, homeowner’s
insurance providers, or lenders may also require initial abatement and/or remedial actions relating
to the UST prior to making any commitments towards the property. In addition, there exists a
potential for further environmental impact to the property from continued leakage from the UST.

Currently, the presence of the soil contamination does not appear to pose any known health risk.
Attempting to remove the UST and associated contaminated soils is costly, would be disruptive to
the property and may not result in a clean closure. For these reasons, we recommend the in-place
abandonment of the UST. The tank abandonment would consist of exposing a portion of the UST
by hand excavation, cutting a hole about two feet in diameter on the topside of the UST, removing
all tank and fuel line contents, cleaning of the tank interior, and filling the tank with a structurally
supportive yet excavatable flowable fill cement slurry. A summary report signed by a licensed
geologist would be generated that would include photographs of each step of the abandonment
process, including a photograph of the interior of the UST to show the UST was properly
cleaned. Cedar Rock can abandon the UST for a charge of $3,900.00 plus $1.50 per gallon of
recovered fluids. Preparing and filing the NRP and performing the Public Notification
requirement will cost an additional $1,250.00.

Attached is an invoice for the site inspection. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to
Mr. Earl & Kimberly Gates
January 25, 2023
Page 3

you. If you have any questions regarding the content of this report, please call me at 336-684-
3836.

Sincerely,

Josiah D. Payne, N.C. Licensed Geologist #2825

Attachment
Mr. Earl & Kimberly Gates
January 25, 2023
Page 4

Site Sketch. Sketch is to scale relative to itself.

Photo 1. View of the AST and UST location. Northeastern end of the UST is marked
with a white flag.
N
House
UST
Location of soil boring
AST
4.3 ft 6.5 ft
Front porch
5.3 ft
2 ft
Mr. Earl & Kimberly Gates
January 25, 2023
Page 5

Photo 2. View of the UST fill and vent pipes. Southwestern end of the UST is marked
with a white flag.